Happy early Birthday to me:)

So this update is a little over due--but what else would you expect?;) Last Tuesday, I was in Lubbock and on my 7 mile long run of the week and I started to think -- I think everybody should live in West Texas for at least a year out of their lives. I feel like the world would be a much happier place! As I'm running down the road, it doesn't matter who it is whether it be a fellow student or someone working on the drainage system you almost always see a genuine smile creep up on their face followed by a hearty "Hello!" or "Hi! How are you today?". Then I'll respond just as equally happy with a very breathy response and a big smile on my face! These type of encounters go a long way to adding such a happy aura to my day:)

Following my 7 mile run, I decided I wanted to learn the bike route to school so I can be more eco-friendly in the fall. However, it was extremely hot and by the time I got to school (7 miles later--which really isn't that far), I was dripping sweat (that's the kicker -- I don't really want to be drenched and stinky by the time I get to class. However, this day I was just going to the pool so it was suitable:)). Then I swam about 25 laps (with stopping every couple) and working on my flip turn a little bit! My friends Jamie and Jessica and their brother came up as well and we played some water volleyball with some other people we had just met -- it was a good day!:) Then I got to ride my bike another scorching 7 miles home. Looks like being so eco-friendly will have to wait til the cooler months and then in the Spring when I move closer to campus. My classmates will thank me:)

I also took Dea on a mile run after I got home from my 7 mile run while I wore my 5-finger shoes. Here's the little trouper!

When I got home from my run earlier in the day, I was pretty hungry so this is what I came up with:

Collard Sandwich Wrap

1. Start by layering two (or three, I later had to add another because I had too many veggies in this to close it) leaves of washed collard (removing the stem as you see has been done here).

2. Add veggies (I'm showing mine in layers because I put sooooo many!). Here we have raw snap peas, sprouts, and baby carrots.

Here I have added the cherub and sunburst tomatoes -- Mmmm mmmm!!

And here we have orange bell pepper, a strip of cucumber (cut long ways), portobello and avodado (the avocado makes the wrap I think) and I then added some salsa (which is not shown). This is where I added the extra leaf but it's easier to just go ahead and lay two side by side and then the leaf on the bottom from the beginning.

3. Roll it all up and this is what you get! Pure, raw, deliciousness:)

I tried another time cooking the portobello, bell peppers, carrots and green beans and it just wasn't as good:( Looks like raw is the way to do this wrap!

I also got to use my brand new knives!! Happy early Birthday to me from M & D!:) <3

Williams Sanoma was having a sale on their knives and these which are Wustof Ikon Classic were marked way WAY down because this handle color is being discontinued -- AWESOME.:) Even though they're white, they won't stain! Hooray!:)

The day after my swim/bike/run, I took it easy. I tried to go to the gym, but I was just way too exhausted. Part of it was the lack of sleep I had gotten the night before more than anything but I admit, part of it was because I had drank a little bit much the night before to get up at 6 AM and have a productive run. If anything, it probably would have hurt me. Where have the days gone where I could drink myself silly and then get up at 6AM the next morning and run off my hangover? Sometimes this works, but I'm starting to feel the effects of growing up -- and it's taking a toll on my body and I do not like it. One. Bit. But, I think those days left when Junior year of college came to a close. However, you're only as old as you feel so I'm just going to stay 22 forever. :)

The following days, I'd run 5 miles or go to the gym (mostly running). Friday I ran 5 miles and then followed that with a swim lesson. My legs were pooped! He kicked my butt a little bit that day. He had me swim 4 laps back without touching the ground or stopping and he timed me. I'm a little competitive in case you didn't know that about me so I basically tried to go balls to the wall and forgot all about breathing and pace and technique so needless to say, it was rough. I'm gonna go work on that today or tomorrow. Yesterday was another long run of the week at 8 miles. Today, I think will be a weights day:) Hope ya'll have a great day! I'll post again soon:)